Financial Autonomy, Panacea to Independent Legislature

Yetunde Oladejo

20 May 2011

Osogbo — A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Farounbi has said that for the legislative arm of government to be virile in Nigeria, it should be financial independent of the executive.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Farounbi who is representing Ayedaade state constituency in the House said such autonomy would make the legislative arm to perform to expectation and would not make it to be begging the executive for money always to run the Assembly.

While stating that machinery that will retain experience hand should be worked into Nigeria legislative system, the lawmaker noted that “anybody that is sound can perform well in executive arm but in the legislative arm, if you don’t have requisite experience you will find it difficult to cope.”

Farounbi who is the out-going chairman, finance committee in the house commended the National Assembly particularly the senate for allowing the rule of ranking to operate in whatever they do.

Enumerating some of his achievements, he said he was able to sponsor a lot bill and also present bills through government to the house when he finds out that it might not quickly see the light of the day.

He also said that for the first time he introduced budget tracking and ensured that enabling law is followed without bending the rule.

In his constituency, Farounbi said he was able to impact in every ward in his local government as there is no ward that does not have any physical project through him.

He therefore called on the coming elected legislators in the state to be up and doing, urging them to be themselves and do things that would uplift the people of Osun State.

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